Programme Coordinator, Sierra Leone

Job Highlight

The successful candidate will be part of an exciting initiative to transform how ECCE initiatives are funded and delivered in Sierra Leone. EOF offers its team the opportunity to drive systems change at scale, while working in a mission-driven, high-performing team.

About The Group

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Role Purpose

The Programme Coordinator will support the Country Lead to ensure the programme is successfully implemented, working in close collaboration with EOF’s partners to resolve implementation challenges and ensure the effective delivery of activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Programme Coordinator, Sierra Leone will undertake the following responsibilities:

Stakeholder management:

• Support the Country Lead to build influential relationships with government so that their programme decision-making is well informed by EOF recommendations; and so that they are actively championing the program, outcomes-based approaches and using OBF related evidence to improve systems or policy implementation.
• Support the Country Lead to manage relationships with implementing partners throughout the program’s implementation
• Support implementing partners to address challenges during implementation by meeting with them regularly, collating a summary of challenges, and supporting the Country Lead to proactively solve or escalate issues with program partners or with EOF’s wider team.
• Support and facilitate broader stakeholder engagement in coordination with the Country Lead and programme team, fostering collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, donors, implementing partners, and other relevant partners, ensuring ongoing alignment.
• Support the Country Lead to prepare for program governance meetings, including logistics and content preparation.
• Support the Country Lead to gather intelligence and understanding of donors/ partners in the education system including identifying and influencing future funding opportunities, such as GPE or donor programming in development.
  
  

Programme implementation:

• Support the Country Lead with day-to-day programme implementation.
• Coordinate and conduct site visits to programme locations to observe implementation, gather feedback, and assess safeguarding systems, documenting findings and preparing reports on adherence to EOF’s safeguarding standards.
• Support the Country Lead to work with the independent evaluator and implementing partners to coordinate results verification, including data submission processes, fieldwork, verification timelines, and payment.
• Coordinate with EOF’s Operations team to support operational and administrative processes, including cost verification and financial checks, travel planning, and procurement for any third-party service providers.
• Support the Sierra Leone Country Lead and programme team implement the program’s communications strategy, promoting the dissemination of programme results and stories.
  
  

Programme coordination:

• Support the programme team’s workplan management, such as by tracking and following up on action items from internal and external meetings, including with government partners.
• Support the preparation and facilitation of programme governance meetings, coordinating logistics and developing background documentation.
• Prepare operational performance updates and summaries for internal teams and programme partners, highlighting progress, risks, delays, and mitigation measures.
• Contribute to programme communications, providing field-level insights and coordinating with EOF’s Communications team on visibility materials.
  
  

Operational support for the programme:

• Draft EOF’s annual procurement and travel plans, and coordinate logistics for programme events and team travel, including by handling venue bookings and invoice reimbursement, in collaboration with EOF’s central Operations team.
• Maintain operational standards and protocols, supporting the development and implementation of SOPs, safeguarding guidelines, and visit procedures in collaboration with EOF’s Operations team.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of assets and supplies, including inventory and procurement logs.
  
  

Financial and budget administration:

• Monitor expense verification activities and operational due diligence processes, ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards.
  
  

Education Requirements

Required

• Secondary school education.
  
  

Desired

• A first level university degree (Bachelor`s degree or equivalent) preferably in International Development, Public Policy, Education, Business, Economics, Political Science, Finance or similar is an asset and may be accepted in lieu of some years of experience.
  
  

Required

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in project management or programme implementation, or closely related, preferably in relation to projects in the development, education or ECCE sectors in Sierra Leone.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and stakeholder management, ideally in Sierra Leone’s education/ECCE sector.
• Experience working with donors and international organisations in the development sector in Sierra Leone.
  
  

Desired

• Experience with results-based financing, innovative finance or innovative delivery models – particularly outcomes funds.